Saints coach wants list rule change

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson wants rookie list rules to be changed to allow clubs more flexibility in the way they use the players.

Richardson was this week forced to choose between promoting veteran Adam Schneider or promising youngster Jack Sinclair, with present rules allowing clubs to promote just one player to the senior list following the mid-season bye.

He opted for the 31-year-old Schneider, who has played 222 games and appeared in five grand finals, but said the intent of the rules when they were originally drafted no longer applied.

"My understanding of the rookie list was that it was brought in to make sure that teams were competitive when there was a lot of injuries," Richardson said.

"You could bring in these guys but, financially, there was not the commitment for the club that a primary list player would take.

"That all makes sense, but I don't think there's the need now. I don't see there's a negative in having these guys come in and play on your list - that's what we would be pushing for."

Richardson said he elected to elevate Schneider to add some experience on the field, but the club also offered Sinclair a two-year deal starting in 2016.

The 20-year-old has kicked 11 goals in his 10 games this season, and said while he was frustrated to remain on the rookie list, he had already achieved plenty.

"I've just been rapt with the way I've played the first 10 rounds - I never thought I'd play so many games so early in my career," said Sinclair (pictured), who was overlooked in the draft the first year he nominated.